[UCLA vs University of Toronto - MS In CS]

Hi,

I have offers from both UCLA and UofT and want to specialize in Machine Learning. Any opinions on which institute to select?

[Failed Startup - Worth a mention in SOP for MS in CS?]

Hi,

I am a software engineer. I recently spent some months on building my own startup (alongside my daily job) but eventually that failed due to some reasons. The idea is actually not related to the field I want to pursue my MS in. But is it worth mentioning in the SOP? Or will it have a negative to no impact?

Thanks!

[Boost profile for MS in CS]

I just got rejected by all my choices (Stanford, Columbia, Cornell, UCB and UT Austin) for an MS in CS for Fall 2016... They were all ambitious and like a naive little fool I did not apply to any safe schools - 

I am planning to apply again in fall 2017 .. here is a breakup of my profile - 

1. Undergraduate from an IIT in India - GPA 9/10, No papers, Department rank -3

2. GRE - 330, Toefl - 115

3. 2 years of work ex in an MNC - the best one among its peers

I realize now that my profile looks like a thousand other ones and doesnt stand out ... I was looking for ways to boost my profile - Here is what I came up with

1. Quit job and find a research intern ... try hard to publish paper - either India or abroad

2. Quit job and join an NGO (dont know how this will effect the application but i really wanted to work in an NGO for a year)

3. Join a startup - It is a service startup for now with <10 people

I have a lot of time before my application and I would love and appreciate it if you guys could give me suggestions. Thanks a ton!